Inflatable, lightweight cell provides a separate, secondary environment for a spacesuited man in case of spacesuit damage or malfunction. The cell has a pressure-sealing zipper and is equipped to maintain a livable atmosphere

Shelton, S.

Tarr, J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Secondar 
Pressure 
Envelope 
Electrical 
Connecto
Pressure-Sealing Zipper 
Inflation and 
Exhaust Valve 
August 1966	 Brief 66-10370 
NASA TECH BRIEF I& 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Portable Lightweight Cell Provides Controlled Environment 
The problem: 
To provide a separate, secondary safe environment 
capable of receiving a spacesuited man in the event 
of spacesuit damage or malfunction. The secondary 
environment must have enough room for its occupant 
to eat, drink, eliminate body wastes, and perform 
routine hygienic tasks. 
The solution: 
An inflatable, lightweight cell having a pressure-
sealing zipper for entry and exit and which is equipped 
to maintain a livable atmosphere. 
How it's done: 
The secondary pressure envelope is 72 inches long, 
28 inches in diameter, and has hemispherical ends. A
contained aluminum panel provides inflation and 
exhaust valves and an electrical connector for com-
munication and biomedical measurements. Provisions 
for explosionproof lighting, sufficient for normal 
vision, are incorporated in the cell. The pressure-seal-
ing zipper extends vertically along one side of the 
cell to just short of the apices. The cell is designed 
and packaged to permit unpacking, connecting to a 
pressurization system, and readiness for entry within a 
maximum time of 30 seconds. 
The user enters the unfolded cell, closes and in-
flates it. He removes his spacesuit once the cell is 
ready and is free to eat, drink, dispose of body wastes, 
perform body cleansing, and obtain relief from the 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000369 2020-03-11T17:40:48+00:00Z
discomfort of extended pressurization in the space-
suit. After completing these tasks he dons and inflates 
his spacesuit, deflates the cell and stores it. The en-
vironment cell is reusable. 
Notes: 
1. The environment cell provides a safe pressure and 
atmosphere in a shorter time than is required to 
don and pressurize a spacesuit. It provides emer-
gency pressurization in the event of spacesuit dam-
age or malfunction. In medical emergencies, when 
a higher pressure might prove beneficial, a presur-
ization up to 5 psi above ambient can be provided. 
As an emergency external environment, the cell is 
capable of withstanding 1 x I0 mm Hg pressure 
and 00 to 1500 F for 100 hours.
2. Possible commercial applications include a low 
cost, lightweight emergency decompression cham-
ber to transport divers suffering from the "bends" 
to a decompression chamber. 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: B66-10370 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA 
Source: J. Tarr and S. Shelton 
of North American Aviation, Inc. 
under contract to 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-648) 
Brief 66-10370	 Category 05


Portable lightweight cell provides controlled environment

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